Illini ready for awesome’ Shonn Greene

Iowa junior running back Shonn Greene went from moving furniture during a year of exile last season to carrying the load for the Hawkeyes.

John Supinie

Iowa junior running back Shonn Greene went from moving furniture during a year of exile last season to carrying the load for the Hawkeyes.

The 5-foot-11, 235-pound Greene attended junior college last school year, seeking to earn the academic standing to rejoin the Hawkeyes. To pay the bills, he worked part-time at a furniture store near campus.

"This is all totally unexpected,'' Greene said. "My main thing was getting back to the team. I didn't know the role I would play. I just wanted to get back. The success has truly been a blessing. It caught me by surprise.''

Greene not only took over the lead role in an unsettled Iowa backfield, he ranks second in the Big Ten and third in the nation with 1,154 yards rushing to muscle his way into Heisman Trophy conversation. Iowa (5-3 overall, 2-2 in the Big Ten) plays at Illinois (4-4, 2-3) on Saturday (2:30 p.m., ABC).

"The dude is awesome,'' said Illinois linebacker Brit Miller. "He's a baller. He's one of my favorite guys to play against. He runs the ball hard. He's always aware of the little gap. I've seen plays he's just made happen. He's the premier running back in the Big Ten.''

Michigan State's Javon Ringer leads the league with 1,373 yards rushing in nine games. (Illinois doesn't play the Spartans, so there's no worry about bulletin board material.) But Greene came out of nowhere. His academic questions weren't cleared up until the summer, and Greene needed to work himself back into shape.

Besides Greene, the Iowa running back corps included a junior-college transfer, a true freshman and a late recruit. The Hawkeyes entered the season without running back who had a carry for Iowa last season.

The 23-year-old Greene, a native of Sicklerville, N.J., became the first Iowa runner to string together eight consecutive games of 100 yards or more rushing. Among the nation's work horses, Greene ranks second in the nation by averaging 6.5 yards per carry (minimum 160 attempts). Hed has 10 touchdowns. Greene reminds Illini coach Ron Zook of former Michigan star Mike Hart.

"I don't know if I've ever been around a back playing at such a high level. That's fun,'' said Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz after Greene rushed for 217 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-16 win over Wisconsin.

Greene twice overcame academic issues to play for Iowa. He failed to meet NCAA requirements for incoming freshmen, then enrolled at Milford (Conn.) Academy prep school. At Milford, Greene bulked up from 190 to 225 pounds and rushed for 1,274 yards. He chose to stick with his earlier commitment to Iowa.

In 2005, Greene rushed for 116 yards in a victory over Ball State, then eventually fell down the rotation while Albert Young, another south New Jersey native, took over the spot. Greene lived with Young during his year at junior college.

"I don't think any of us would have predicted the success he's had,'' Ferentz said. "There was no place he had to go to train and workout that was comparable to what we had to offer. He really worked hard since he got back in late June. He was playing catch up in September.''

Illinois ranks ninth in the Big Ten in rushing defense, allowing 152.4 yards per game. Wisconsin rushed for 163 yards last week in a 27-17 win.

"He's a physical runner, a big back,'' said Illini defensive end Derek Walker. "You have to attack him head on. One arm isn't going to bring him down.''

The Heisman talk "is kind of crazy,'' Greene said, but his contribution can't be overlooked. Iowa's rushing average of 195.4 yards per game is 69.2 more than last season.

"Most people would call me a physical back,'' Greene said. "I like to refer to myself as a positive-yardage back. I run North-South and put my feet on the ground and see how many yards I can gain.''

With each step, he's further away from the furniture store.

John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com.

A LOOK AT IOWA

Record: 5-3 overall, 2-2 in the Big Ten.

So far: Def. Maine 46-3, def. Florida International 42-0, def. Iowa State 17-5, lost to Pittsburgh 21-20, lost to Northwestern 22-17, lost to Michigan State 16-13, def. Indiana 45-9, def. Wisconsin 38-16.

Coach: Kirk Ferentz, 66-52 in 10th season at Iowa, 78-73 in 13th season overall.